The Executive Director, U.S. Botanic Garden (USBG) maintains the USBG as a nationally recognized scientific and educational institution and living plant museum. The Executive Director has oversight for all major functions, including administration, education, outreach, science, conservation, horticulture, facilities maintenance and capital renewal.
Architect of the Capitol (AOC) executives serve at the pleasure of the AOC.
Summary
The Executive Director, U.S. Botanic Garden (USBG) maintains the USBG as a nationally recognized scientific and educational institution and living plant museum. The Executive Director has oversight for all major functions, including administration, education, outreach, science, conservation, horticulture, facilities maintenance and capital renewal.
Architect of the Capitol (AOC) executives serve at the pleasure of the AOC.
Occasional travel - The AOC may expect you to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent - This position serves at the pleasure of the Architect. Appointments to the Excepted Service are civil service appointments that do not confer competitive status.
Oversees all administrative operations including strategic planning, personnel management, budget formulation and execution, asset management and safety.
Exercises executive responsibility for the operation, maintenance and renovation of the physical facilities, including recommendations for short-term and long-term capital improvements. Leads master planning efforts to establish future directions and position the USBG as a model sustainable facility.
Directs and oversees all communication activities for the USBG, including with the media, external leaders in public gardens, botany and plant science and Congress. Sets and oversees the strategic direction for public outreach, educational programming and exhibits. Ensures the USBG reaches diverse adult and youth audiences locally and nationally through a range of formats and through in-person and online tours and programming, both on and off-campus.
Serves as a technical expert in botany, horticulture and plant conservation. Presents papers and lectures as a professional expert in the fields of botany, horticulture and public garden administration to national and international professional societies and organizations.
Develops and oversees implementation of policies and guidelines for plant collections. Provides for plant rescue, in conjunction with the Animal Plant, Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the USDA, for plants traded in violation of international trade agreements for endangered species.
Ensures the care, health and curation of a documented and diverse plant collection that serve the USBG’s educational and conservation mission. Engages with the horticulture community to develop plant collections, test new varieties and support plant conservation through collection and in-situ preservation of threatened and endangered plants.
Advances institutional priorities of conservation, sustainability and plant science through national and international partnerships, outreach activities and in-house internships, training opportunities and research. Makes the USBG facilities and collections available to the scientific community and advances the USBG-led plant science and conservation work.
Interacts with AOC staff, senior staff, officials from other agencies and public. Demonstrates skill in developing and delivering oral and written presentations as well as making recommendations on management issues in concise and convincing language.
Builds coalitions internally and with other organizations and stakeholders to achieve common goals. Consulted by congressional members, staffs and constituents on policies and programs regarding relevant professional problems, issues and practices. Represents the USBG to local, national and international professional groups and societies and other government agencies.
Provides an inclusive and equitable workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork and supports constructive resolution of conflicts.
Complies with all safety and health practices, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations and ensures employees wear required protective equipment.
2. Successful completion of a background investigation commensurate with the risk and sensitivity level of the position.
3. Successful completion of pre-employment and applicable random drug testing required.
4. Meets qualifications requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Qualifications
Application Method:
Applicants must clearly show possession and demonstrated leadership experience, normally obtained over several years by serving in positions at the GS-15 level or equivalent, for each Executive Core Qualification (ECQ) and Professional Technical Qualification (PTQ) separately. Failure to address and meet any of the ECQs or the PTQ, via the vacancy questionnaire, will eliminate you from further consideration. Review the ECQ competencies guidance and sample resumes in OPM's Guide to Senior Executive Service Qualification.
Executive Core Qualifications:
ECQ 1 - Leading Change: The ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment.
ECQ 2 - Leading People: The ability to lead people toward meeting the organization's vision, mission and goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts.
ECQ 3 - Results Driven: The ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to make decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems and calculating risks.
ECQ 4 - Business Acumen: The ability to manage human, financial and information resources strategically.
ECQ 5 - Building Coalitions: The ability to build coalitions internally and with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, nonprofit and private sector organizations, foreign governments or international organizations to achieve common goals.
Professional Technical Qualifications:
PTQ 1 - Demonstrated experience establishing scientific research programs in areas such as plant conservation, horticulture, botany or agriculture and success leading communication efforts to increase public awareness of science, especially as it relates to plants.
Education
Applicants must meet the following Basic Requirements of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Standards Manual for Horticulture Series:
A. Degree: horticulture or a related discipline of basic plant science that included at least 30 semester hours in the basic plant sciences, of which at least 16 semester hours were in horticultural subjects such as those dealing with the breeding, care, management, production, and post harvest handling of horticultural crops.
OR
B. Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in horticulture or a related discipline of basic plant science that included course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
Evaluation of Education: Courses in botany, plant physiology, plant taxonomy, plant pathology, genetics, agronomy, horticulture, and similar courses may be used to meet the 30-semester-hour requirement in basic plant sciences.
The 16-semester-hour requirement in horticulture includes course work in basic horticulture and course work related to any of the recognized subject-matter fields of horticulture, i.e., fruits, vegetables, ornamentals, nursery work, seed production, or course work in related areas of science, such as micro-biology, entomology, plant pathology, plant physiology, or genetics that is directly related to horticultural work.
Special Instructions for Foreign Education: You must show a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs have evaluated the education credentials and deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course-by-course listing if selected. For further information, click here.
Additional information
Veteran's preference does not apply to AOC's senior executive positions.
If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System. If you are exempt from registration under Selective Service Law, you must provide appropriate proof of exemption. Please visit the Selective Service System website for more information.
The AOC is a Drug Free Workplace. As part of the AOC’s suitability assessment, a candidate tentatively selected for a position who is not currently an AOC employee is required to submit to screening for illegal drug use. Satisfactory completion of a drug test is a condition of employment. A candidate must test negative prior to being eligible for appointment into a position. The AOC will schedule, provide and cover the cost for the drug test.
The selectee for this position is subject to a criminal record check by the U.S. Capitol Police and satisfactory adjudication to become eligible for employment.
The AOC is an E-VERIFY Participant. E-VERIFY is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records, to confirm employment authorization in the United States. If selected, the documentation you present for purposes of completing the DHS Form I-9 is verified through the DHS "E-VERIFY" electronic system. For more information on E-Verify, please visit http://www.dhs.gov/files/programs/gc_1185221678150.shtm
The AOC is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information and/or disability.
The AOC provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. The AOC makes decisions on granting reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis.
The AOC does not authorize moving or relocation expenses.
All application materials become the property of the AOC.
A career with the U.S. Government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Learn more about federal benefits.
The AOC offers:
Competitive salary, comprehensive retirement plan, monetary and non-monetary awards, and other employee recognition.
Health, dental, vision and life insurance options as well as flexible spending accounts; the government shares the cost of health and life insurance premiums.
Training and developmental opportunities.
Flexible work hours, subsidized transportation options and paid annual and sick leave and holidays.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position and work schedule. Contact the hiring agency for more information on specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
The AOC Human Capital Management Division (HCMD) reviews each application package for eligibility and demonstration of executive experience for each ECQ and PTQ via accomplishments and experiences provided in the resume and questionnaire. An executive panel reviews application packages, selects candidates for interviews, and refers the best qualified to the selecting official for further consideration. The Architect of the Capitol provides final approval.
Falsifying your background, education or experience is cause for non-selection or disqualification from further consideration. A complete application is required for consideration; please review the Required Documents section.
A career with the U.S. Government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Learn more about federal benefits.
The AOC offers:
Competitive salary, comprehensive retirement plan, monetary and non-monetary awards, and other employee recognition.
Health, dental, vision and life insurance options as well as flexible spending accounts; the government shares the cost of health and life insurance premiums.
Training and developmental opportunities.
Flexible work hours, subsidized transportation options and paid annual and sick leave and holidays.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position and work schedule. Contact the hiring agency for more information on specific benefits offered.
You must provide a complete application package. If you do not provide all the required information, the AOC will not consider you for this position. Provide the following:
Resume showing relevant work experience (start/end dates stated in month/year and description of duties), salary, education (degree type, accredited college/university and major), license number (if applicable), and your contact information (name, address, phone number, and email). For current or previous Federal employees, also include the pay plan, series, and grade for each work experience entry. Limit your resume to 5 pages. If you submit more than five pages, AOC HCMD will only review the first five pages to determine your eligibility/qualifications.
If additional documentation is required, AOC HCMD will ask you to provide it during the interview or selection process. The AOC HCMD will ask you to provide your college transcript prior to selection. However, we encourage you to have documents prepared and ready when requested by AOC HCMD or upload them via the Documents for Auto-Request at the time of application. If you fail to provide the required documents within the stated time-period, we may withdraw a job offer and/or remove you from further consideration.
Documents for Auto-Request:
College Transcripts
DD-214 (Member 4 Copy)
Licenses and Certifications
Miscellaneous Documents
SF-15
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section.
Applicants must submit a complete application by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.
To begin, click Apply to access the online application. Log into your USAJOBS account; if you do not have an account, create one to begin the application process.
Follow the prompts to select your resume and other supporting documents for your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents before you submit it. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
Acknowledge you reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section, as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
The system directs you to the online application. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package and submit the application.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login); all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date you last updated your application. Visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/ for the meaning of each application status.
If you have difficulties with the application site, help is available! If you have problems completing your online application, contact the Monster Hiring Management Help Desk at 1-866-656-6831 or by e-mail at MGSHELP@monster.com. The help desk is available Monday - Friday 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time. You may call and leave a voice mail message at all other times.
Architect of the Capitol
2nd and D Street, S.W.
Washington, District of Columbia 20515
United States
Next steps
You can check the status of your application by logging into http://www.usajobs.gov. You may also sign up to receive automatic emails anytime the status of your application has changed by logging into your USAJOBS Account, editing your profile and changing the ‘Notification Settings’ to indicate that you want to be notified by email when the status changes.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
You must provide a complete application package. If you do not provide all the required information, the AOC will not consider you for this position. Provide the following:
Resume showing relevant work experience (start/end dates stated in month/year and description of duties), salary, education (degree type, accredited college/university and major), license number (if applicable), and your contact information (name, address, phone number, and email). For current or previous Federal employees, also include the pay plan, series, and grade for each work experience entry. Limit your resume to 5 pages. If you submit more than five pages, AOC HCMD will only review the first five pages to determine your eligibility/qualifications.
If additional documentation is required, AOC HCMD will ask you to provide it during the interview or selection process. The AOC HCMD will ask you to provide your college transcript prior to selection. However, we encourage you to have documents prepared and ready when requested by AOC HCMD or upload them via the Documents for Auto-Request at the time of application. If you fail to provide the required documents within the stated time-period, we may withdraw a job offer and/or remove you from further consideration.
Documents for Auto-Request:
College Transcripts
DD-214 (Member 4 Copy)
Licenses and Certifications
Miscellaneous Documents
SF-15
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section.
Applicants must submit a complete application by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.
To begin, click Apply to access the online application. Log into your USAJOBS account; if you do not have an account, create one to begin the application process.
Follow the prompts to select your resume and other supporting documents for your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents before you submit it. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
Acknowledge you reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section, as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
The system directs you to the online application. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package and submit the application.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login); all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date you last updated your application. Visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/ for the meaning of each application status.
If you have difficulties with the application site, help is available! If you have problems completing your online application, contact the Monster Hiring Management Help Desk at 1-866-656-6831 or by e-mail at MGSHELP@monster.com. The help desk is available Monday - Friday 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time. You may call and leave a voice mail message at all other times.
Architect of the Capitol
2nd and D Street, S.W.
Washington, District of Columbia 20515
United States
Next steps
You can check the status of your application by logging into http://www.usajobs.gov. You may also sign up to receive automatic emails anytime the status of your application has changed by logging into your USAJOBS Account, editing your profile and changing the ‘Notification Settings’ to indicate that you want to be notified by email when the status changes.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
